Apparatus and methods for renting and controlling occupancy of a vehicle

ABSTRACT

One variation of a method for renting a vehicle includes: receiving a signal from a fleet manager, the signal specifying a current availability of the vehicle for rent; updating a visual indicator arranged on the vehicle according to the signal, the visual indicator visually detectable from outside the vehicle; receiving identification information of a user proximal the vehicle; enabling access to the vehicle for the user in response to verification of the user as a driver of the vehicle; determining, through a sensor arranged within the vehicle, that the user is seated in a driver&#39;s seat within the vehicle; and enabling ignition of the vehicle for the user in response to determination that the user is seated in the driver&#39;s seat.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/788,836, filed Mar. 7, 2013, which claims benefit of and priority toU.S. Provisional Application No. 61/607,989, filed Mar. 7, 2012, and isentitled to those filing dates for priority. The specification, figures,appendices and complete disclosure of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/607,989 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/788,836 areincorporated herein in their entireties by specific reference for allpurposes.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the rental vehicle field, and morespecifically to a new and useful apparatus and methods for renting andcontrolling occupancy of a rental vehicle in the rental vehicle field.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Ridesharing is often used to reduce travel cost, reduce the capitalcosts of traveling (e.g., vehicles, insurance, maintenance), and/orreduce environmental impact. Local and state governments also offerincentives for people to carpool or share rides, such as carpool laneson highways. A fundamental principal of public transportation is toshare travel expenses, from fuel to capital costs, by mobilizing largevolumes of people at once. However, ridesharing and carpooling inpersonal and private vehicles often requires substantial planning andleaves little opportunity for personalized routes or flexiblescheduling. Individuals therefore occasionally turn to rental vehicle tofulfill mobility needs, but current rental vehicles typically assume therole of private vehicles while in use and therefore do not provideincreased mobility to other users.

Thus, there is a need in the rental vehicle field for new and usefulapparatus and methods renting and controlling occupancy in a rentalvehicle. This invention provides such a new and useful apparatus andmethods.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a flowchart representation of a method of a first embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart representation of a method of a second embodimentof the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one implementation of the first method.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one implementation of the first andsecond methods.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of one implementation of the firstmethod.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of one implementation of the firstand second methods.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart representation of one implementation of the firstand second methods.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one implementation of the first andsecond methods.

FIG. 9 is a perspective cutaway view of an apparatus of a thirdembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is an elevation cutaway view of an implementation of theapparatus.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an implementation of theapparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The following description of exemplary embodiments of the invention isnot intended to limit the invention to these embodiments, but rather toenable any person skilled in the art to make and use this invention.

1. Method for Renting a Vehicle

As shown in FIG. 1, method S100 for renting a vehicle includes:receiving a signal from a fleet manager in Block S110, the signalspecifying a current availability of the vehicle for rent; updating avisual indicator arranged on the vehicle according to the signal inBlock S120, the visual indicator visually detectable from outside thevehicle; receiving identification information of a user proximal thevehicle in Block S130, enabling access to the vehicle for the user inresponse to verification of the user as a driver of the vehicle in BlockS140, determining, through a sensor arranged within the vehicle, thatthe user is seated in a driver's seat within the vehicle in Block S150,and enabling ignition of the vehicle for the user in response todetermination that the user is seated in the driver's seat in BlockS160.

Method S100 functions to display an availability status of a rentalvehicle such that a user outside the vehicle can visually discern thevehicle's availability, to capture an identity of the user and assignthe user as a driver of the vehicle and to ensure that the user isoccupying a proper seat within the vehicle prior to enabling full access(e.g., ignition) to the vehicle for the user. Generally, method S100 canbe applicable to a vehicle in a fleet of rental vehicles, in a fleet ofshared private vehicles, that a single shared private vehicle, etc. toenable substantially real-time or “impulse” booking of the vehicle by auser. By visually displaying an availability status of the vehicle,method S100 can enable a user who is outside of the vehicle, such aswalking through a parking lot or in an adjacent building, tosubstantially immediately ascertain the availability of the vehicle, andby collecting identification information of the user, method S100 candetermine substantially in real-time if the user is a suitable driverand/or how to bill the user for the rental. Furthermore, by determiningthe user's seating position and controlling access to the vehicle (e.g.,door entry, ignition), method S100 can control who enters and who drivesthe vehicle.

Method S100 can be implemented by a vehicle rental apparatus, such asarranged on, arranged within, or incorporated into the vehicle. Therental apparatus can include a processor and input and output modulesthat interface with various vehicle systems, such as a door lockingfunction, an ignition function within the vehicle, and a seat occupancysensor. The rental apparatus can also implement an optical sensor (e.g.,camera), a radio-frequency identification (RFID) reader, a barcodescanner, a magnetic stripe reader, a near-field communication (NFC)reader, or any other sensor or combination of sensors to capture anidentify of the user. The rental apparatus can further include awireless communication module that communicates with a remote computersystem that implements a vehicle fleet manager to set availability ofone or more vehicles in a fleet of rental vehicles, such as based oncurrent or anticipated future demand. For example, the vehicle fleetmanager can handle user- and vehicle-related data collected by andtransmitted from the rental apparatus to identify a location of thevehicle and to verify the user as a suitable driver. The vehicle fleetmanager can be implemented by a computer system that is a cloud-basedcomputer system (e.g., Amazon EC2), a mainframe computer system, agrid-computer system, or any other suitable computer system. The rentalapparatus can additionally or alternatively interface with a mobilecomputing device carried by and/or issued to the user (e.g., asmartphone, a tablet), such as via a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cellular, orother wireless connection. For example, the rental apparatus caninterface with a native application executing on the mobile computingdevice to access user identification information, to confirm a vehiclebooking, to unlock the vehicle, and/or to start the vehicle based on oneor more user inputs into the mobile computing device and wirelesslycommunicated to the rental apparatus. All or a portion of method S100can be implemented directly by a native application executing on amobile computing device (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet), such asvariations that implement Block S120 through an augmented realityoverlay on a display of the mobile computing device, as described below.However, one or more Blocks of method S100 can be implemented by any oneor more of a rental apparatus within the system, a remote computersystem and/or vehicle fleet manager, a mobile computing device (e.g.,carried by and/or issued to the user), a local kiosk proximal thevehicle, or any other suitable device, system, controller, etc.

Block S110 of method S100 recites receiving a signal from a fleetmanager, the signal specifying a current availability of the vehicle forrent. Generally, Block S110 functions to access data pertaining to theavailability of the vehicle for rent, and Block S110 can thereforeenable Block S120 to update the visual indicator to accurately display acurrent availability of the vehicle for rent such that the vehicle isonly advertised to persons outside the vehicle, via the visualindicator, when the vehicle is available. To set the vehicle asavailable to a driver, the signal can specify that the vehicle currentlyretains no driver booking and no, one, or more passenger bookings. Thesignal can additionally or alternatively specify a current or futureperiod of availability or unavailability, a booking schedule includingtime periods during which the vehicle is booked (e.g., by the user or byanother user), an identifier of a current or future driver or passenger(e.g., name, credit card number, picture, cellular number, emailaddress), a preferred location of the vehicle, etc.

As described above method S100 can interface with a remote fleetmanager, and Block S110 can therefore receive the signal specifyingcurrent vehicle availability from the fleet manager. For the vehiclethat is part of a fleet of rental vehicles, the signal can also includea unique identifier of the vehicle such that the fleet manager canindependently set the availability of multiple vehicles within thevehicle fleet. Alternatively, for the vehicle that is a single sharedprivate vehicle, Block S110 can receive the signal from a private user,such as an owner of the vehicle via an online vehicle share servicethrough which the private user can set availability of the vehicle.However, Block S110 can receive the signal from any other suitableentity.

In one implementation, as described above, method S100 is implemented bya rental apparatus arranged on or within the vehicle. In thisimplementation, Block S110 can interface substantially directly with thefleet manager or other vehicle controller, such as through a wirelesscommunication module arranged within the vehicle and implementingcellular, Wi-Fi, satellite or other long-distance communication channel.Alternatively, Block S110 can communicate with the fleet manager orother controller substantially indirectly, such as by implementingshort-distance communication channels (e.g., Bluetooth, Xbee) tocommunicate with a smartphone or other mobile computing device carriedby the user capable of long-distance communication channels.

In an alternative implementation, Block S110 is implemented through anative application executing on a mobile computing device (e.g., asmartphone), wherein the native application receives the rental statusof the vehicle and implements the received status in an augmentedreality overlay as described below. For example, method S100 canimplement machine vision techniques to identify the vehicle in an imagecaptured by the user through the mobile computing device and, inresponse to positive identification, implement Block S110. Similarly,method S100 can poll a GPS sensor within the mobile computing deviceand, in response to a polled location that is substantially proximal thevehicle, implement Block S110. In this alternative, all or a portion ofmethod S100 can be implemented on the mobile computing device. However,Block S110 can function in and/or be implemented in any other way toaccess a rental status of the vehicle.

Block S120 of method S100 recites updating a visual indicator arrangedon the vehicle according to the signal, the visual indicator visuallydetectable from outside the vehicle. Generally, Block S120 functions tocontrol the visual indicator to signify driver and/or passengeravailability of the vehicle to a person outside the vehicle. Therefore,Block S120 can enable visual access to passenger and/or driveravailability of the vehicle, thereby enabling a person with visualaccess to the vehicle (e.g., adjacent the vehicle, in an office buildingadjacent a parking lot in which the vehicle is parked) to substantiallyimmediately comprehend the rental status of the vehicle. For example,Block S120 can set the color of a lamp arranged on a first vehicle to‘green,’ indicating that the first vehicle is available, and Block S120can further set the color of a lamp arranged on a second vehicle to‘blue,’ indicating that the second vehicle is has been reserved by auser but still has available passenger seats. In this example, the usercan access the second vehicle that he has previously reserved or thefirst vehicle that is not yet booked.

In one implementation, the visual indicator can include one or morelight sources, such as one or more LEDs, incandescent light bulbs,backlit digital or heads-up displays, or projectors. For example, thevisual indicator can be a light source arranged within the vehicle, suchas on a rearview mirror assembly within the vehicle, in a discreet(e.g., standalone) rental apparatus coupled to an interior surface of awindow, on a dashboard of the vehicle, or on or within any othercomponent in the vehicle. Alternatively, the visual indicator can be alight source arranged outside the vehicle, such as on a license platebezel, on a side mirror, around a circumference of or along a horizontalportion of a windshield, on a wheel, or on or in any other surface orcomponent on the vehicle. Block S120 can update the visual indicator bychanging an output of the light source from a first color specifyingthat the vehicle is in use to a second color indicting that the vehicleis available for rent. For example, the light source can include amulti-color LED, wherein the first color indicating unavailability ofthe vehicle (e.g., the vehicle is reserved) is a blue hue and whereinthe second color indicating driver's seat availability of the vehicle isa green hue. Furthermore, the light source can be capable of outputtingan orange hue to signify unavailability of the driver's seat butavailability of a passenger seat, a white hue to signify that thevehicle is in use, and/or a red hue to signify that the vehicle is indisrepair. In this example, Block S120 can control the state (i.e.color) of the multi-color LED according to the availability of thesignal, though Block S120 can implement similar functionality bycontrolling any number of LEDs or other light sources of differentcolors. Block S120 can also control the visual indicator according to acharge level or fuel level of the vehicle. For example, Block S120 cancontrol a set of linear or circular bar elements around a central lamp,wherein the central lamp indicated vehicle availability, and wherein anumber of lighted bar elements corresponds to battery level and/orvehicle range. Block S120 can additionally or alternatively control thevisual indicator to display a time until a next or future booking. Forexample, Block S120 can control an e-ink component of the display toinform that user that the vehicle is available for a particular periodof time but must be returned by a certain time or with a certain timeperiod to accommodate the future booking. For the vehicle that has anupcoming reservation, Block S120 similarly control the display toindicate when and who has reserved the vehicle and for how long, forwhat purpose, and/or for what destination. For example, Block S120 cancontrol the e-ink component of the display to render this information.Thus, Block S120 can visually display information that may be useful toa user in selecting adjacent or nearby vehicles that are available forrent. Block S120 can further control the brightness of light output bythe visual indicator. For example, Block S120 can adjust the brightnessof the visual output according to an ambient light level proximal thevehicle, according to a time of day, according to an amount of time thatthe vehicle is available (e.g., dims as availability period decreases),or according to seating availability in the vehicle (e.g., dims asadditional seats are reserved). However, Block S120 can control theoutput of the visual indicator that includes a light source according toany other schema to signify driver's and/or passenger seat availabilityof the vehicle.

In another implementation shown in FIG. 8, Block S120 indicates seatingoccupancy by controlling illumination of a portion of a seat (e.g., thedriver's seat) of the rental vehicle, wherein the seat is illuminated ina first color to indicate occupancy and a second color to indicatevacancy. For example, a headrest of the seat can be substantiallytranslucent can include a first light source that, when illuminated,causes the headrest to glow red to indicate that the seat has alreadybeen reserved for the trip, and a second light source that, whenilluminated, causes the headrest to glow green to indicate that the seatis still available for the trip. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, BlockS120 can control illumination of a ground surface proximal (e.g.,around) the rental vehicle, wherein the ground surface is lit in a firstcolor (e.g., red) to indicate full occupancy, a second color (e.g.,yellow) to indicate passenger seat, and a third color (e.g. green) toindicate that the vehicle has not been reserved, has full vacancy,and/or has a vacant driver's seat. For example, the visual indicator canincludes one or more LEDs, lamps (with colored gels), projectors, orother light sources arranged on the vehicle and directed toward theground or underside of the vehicle. Alternatively, the rental vehiclecan be parked on in a parking space or charging pad incorporatinglighting effects, wherein Block S120 controls the lighting effects(e.g., wirelessly) to light an area on or adjacent the vehicle accordingto the availability status of the vehicle.

In yet another implementation shown in FIG. 7, Block S120 controls aposition of a seat (e.g., the driver's seat) in the vehicle, whereinBlock S120 transitions the seat between a first position that indicatesoccupancy and a second position that indicates availability. Forexample, Block S120 can incline a the seatback of a seat held orreserved for another passenger forward to substantially cover theseatbottom of the seat, thus preventing occupancy of the seat by otherthan the specified passenger. (In this example, the specified user canbe required to provide positive identification, such as by swiping acredit card or scanning an identification card in order to access theseat). Similarly, Block S120 can maintain the seatback of an unreservedseat in an open or rearward position to indicate that the seat is stillavailable, as shown in FIG. 7. Therefore, in this implementation, thevisual indicator can be all or a portion of the seat itself.

In yet another implementation shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the visualindicator includes a digital counter arranged on the vehicle, whereinBlock S120 controls a number displayed on the digital counter toindicate driver and/or passenger seat availability. The digital countercan include a number of “dummy” lights, a digital display, a mechanicalcounter, or any other suitable counter. Block S120 can similarly controlthe visual indicator that depicts seat availability graphically, such aswith a pie chart (e.g., on a lighted wheel) or a bar graph (e.g., acrossthe top of the field windshield of the vehicle). For example, Block S120can control a digital or heads-up display arranged on the rental vehicle(e.g., a LED, LCD, plasma, or segment display) or a projector thatprojects a graphical representation of seat availability onto a portionof the vehicle or onto the ground adjacent the vehicle.

In another implementation, Block S120 controls the visual indicator thatincludes one or more mechanical signs or indicators. For example thevisual indicator can include a mechanical flag coupled to a mechanicalactuator, wherein Block S120 controls the mechanical actuator totransition the flag from a first position (e.g., retracted) thatsignifies unavailability to a second position (e.g., extended) thatsignifies availability. In this example, the flag can also beilluminated and/or include text or a graphic describing availability ofthe vehicle.

Alternatively, Block S120 can implement an augmented reality overlaythat applies the visual indicator over an image of the vehicle renderedon a display of a mobile computing device carried by a person proximalthe vehicle, the image of the vehicle captured in real time by anoptical sensor (e.g., camera) arranged within the mobile computingdevice. In this alternative, Block S120 can apply any one or more of theforegoing or following techniques in the augmented reality overlay inorder to visually indicate the rental status of the vehicle in additionto or as an alternative to a physical visual indicator on or within thevehicle. However, Block S120 can control any type of visual indicatoraccording to any schema to signify availability of the vehicle in anysuitable way.

Block S120 can additionally or alternatively control communication ofvehicle availability through non-visual communication channels. In oneimplementation, Block S120 controls a haptic indicator to signifyavailability of the vehicle. For example, Block S120 can control avibrator arranged in the driver's seat of the vehicle, wherein the seatvibrate to indicate availability. In another implementation, Block S120control advertisement of vehicle availability through a display, etc.arranged on a rental kiosk and/or on a charging station for the rentalvehicle. Block S120 can also control an audio device to present vehicleavailability in an audible format audibly. For example, Block S120 cancommunicate vehicle-related data over a loudspeaker or intercom systemarranged on the vehicle, at a charging station, at a rental kiosk, orwithin a building in which potential users work or reside. In thisexample, such vehicle-related data can be communicated in any number oflanguages or through sirens or other audible cues. Block S120 cansimilarly interface with a horn integrated into the vehicle to alert apotential user proximal the vehicle of the vehicle's availability. Inother implementation, Block S120 communicates vehicle-related data tomobile computing devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets) carried bypotential users, such as within a threshold range of the vehicle. Forexample, Block S120 can transmit this information in the form of a text-and/or audio-based notification that can further direct a potentialusers to a website or native application in which to reserve a passengeror driver's seat in the vehicle. In any of the foregoing implementationsor examples, Block S120 can interface with a camera or proximity sensorarranged on the vehicle or an adjacent kiosk or charging station toidentify individuals near the vehicle, and Block S120 can initiatevisual, audible, or other delivery of the status of the vehicle to theidentified individuals. Additionally or alternatively, Block S120 cancollect GPS or cellular signals from local mobile computing devices(e.g., smartphones) and push vehicle availability notifications to themobile computing devices within a predetermined range of the vehicle(e.g., 500 feet). However, Block S120 can function in any other way tocommunicate vehicle availability in any suitable format to the userand/or other potential users outside of the vehicle.

Block S130 of method S100 recites receiving identification informationof a user proximal the vehicle. Generally, Block S130 functions tocapture information necessary to identify the user prior to enablingaccess to the vehicle, the driver's seat, and/or the vehicle's ignitionfor the user. Block S130 can collect any suitable type or quantity ofinformation from the user, such as the user's name, birthday, driver'slicense number, credit or debit card number, checking account number,employee or employee badge number, email address, rental vehicle accountusername and/or password, online social networking profile, socialsecurity number, phone number, etc. Block S130 can also receive theidentification information through any suitable data communicationchannel.

In one implementation, Block S130 interfaces with an RFID reader on oradjacent the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 6. The RFID reader can beconfigured to download information from an employee badge (shown in FIG.6), a credit card, a driver's license, a mobile computing device e.g.,smartphone), etc. issued to the user when within a suitable range of theRFID reader, and Block S130 can collect this downloaded information fromthe RFID reader. Block S130 can similarly interface with an NFC readersimilarly configured to download information from a badge, card, etc.within a suitable range of the NFC reader, through Block S130 caninterface with any other type of short-range reader to collectidentification information of the user. In one example, the reader isarranged in the rental apparatus arranged within the vehicle, such ascoupled to an interior surface of a window of the vehicle. In otherexamples, the reader is incorporated into an exterior door handle of thevehicle, a dashboard of the vehicle, or a kiosk or charging stationproximal the vehicle, though Block S130 can interface with any othertype of reader arranged on, within, or proximal the vehicle to collectany suitable user identification information in any other way.

In another implementation, Block S130 interfaces with an opticalarranged within, on, or proximal the vehicle to collect relevant userinformation. In one example, Block S130 interfaces with a cameraarranged within the rental apparatus to capture an image of a creditcard, driver's license, passport, etc. held up to the camera by theuser, wherein Block S130 implements a machine vision technique (e.g.,optical character recognition (OCR)) to extract relevant informationfrom the image. In this example, the camera can alternatively beincorporated into the vehicle, such as on an exterior door handle or ona dashboard within the vehicle, or on a kiosk or charging stationproximal the vehicle. The camera can also be a incorporated into amobile computing device carried by the user, wherein the mobilecomputing device captures the image transmits the image or extracteddata from the image to at least one of a rental apparatus within thevehicle and a remote server (e.g., the vehicle fleet manager). Inanother example, the user implements a camera within a mobile computingdevice to capture an image of a portion of the vehicle, wherein a nativerental application executing on the mobile computing device analyses theimage (e.g., via OCR, object recognition, or other machine visiontechnique) to identify the vehicle in the image. The native applicationcan then tag the identity of the vehicle with stored user information(e.g., a name, a phone number, or a rental account number or usernamestored by the native application) and transmit vehicle identity andtag(s) to at least one of the vehicle and a remote server. In thisexample, the image can be an image of a license plate, of a vehiclefleet number, of a barcode or quick-response (QR) code arranged on andunique to the vehicle, or of any other portion of the vehicle. However,Block S130 can interface with any other type of optical sensor arrangedon, within, or proximal the vehicle to collect any suitable useridentification information.

In another implementation, Block S130 collects user information storedon a mobile computing device carried by the user based on a location ofthe mobile computing device that is substantially proximal (e.g., withinfive feet of) the vehicle. For example, Block S130 can poll a GPS sensorwithin the mobile computing device and a GPS sensor within the vehicle,compare the locations of each, download user information from the mobilecomputing device when the distance between the mobile computing deviceand the vehicle is less than a threshold distance. However, Block S130can also poll wireless routers or cellular towers in communication withthe mobile computing device and/or the vehicle to determine a locationof the mobile computing device and/or a location of the vehicle, thoughBlock S130 can determine the location of the vehicle and the location ofthe mobile computing device in any other suitable way. Once Block S130determines the mobile computing device to be suitably close to thevehicle, Block S130 can then pull user data from the mobile computingdevice (e.g., phone number, name, email address) to identify the user.

In yet another implementation, Block S130 can receive useridentification information entered manually by the user, such as througha native rental application executing on mobile computing device.However, Block S130 can receive any type of user identification in anyformat and in any other way.

Block S130 can further implement the identification information of theuser to verify the user as a suitable driver. For example, the BlockS130 can identify the user based on the identification information andselect a rental profile of the user according to the user's identity. Inthis example, Block S130 can access a driver's license, driving record,rental record, billing information, vehicle preferences (e.g., radiosettings), etc. from the user's profile, and the user's profile can bestored in a database of rental profiles contained on a remote server. Inone example implementation, Block S130 accesses a driver's license ofthe user, based on the identification information, to determine that theuser is licensed to drive in the present state or country. In thisexample implementation, Block S130 can withhold access to the vehicle ifthe user lacks a valid driver's license. In another exampleimplementation, Block S130 accesses stored billing information of theuser, based on the identification information, to ensure that the usercan pay for the vehicle rental and/or to bill the user for reserving thevehicle. In this example implementation, Block S130 can withhold accessto the vehicle if the user lacks a valid billing account. In yet anotherexample implementation, Block S130 accesses a driving record and rentalrecord of the user, based on the identification information. In thisexample implementation, Block S130 can withhold access to the vehicle ifthe user has poor driving record, such as while driving the rentalvehicle or other vehicle in the rental vehicle fleet. However, BlockS130 can access and/or implement identification information of the userin any other way.

Block S140 of method S100 recites enabling access to the vehicle for theuser in response to verification of the user as a driver of the vehicle.Generally, Block S140 controls access to the vehicle by the user basedon whether or not the user is suitable as a driver of the vehicle. Inone implementation in which the vehicle has lockable doors, Block S140interfaces with a door lock controller within the vehicle to unlock thedriver's door for the user. In this implementation, Block S140 canselectively unlock only the driver's door or a subset of doors includingthe driver's door, or Block S140 can unlock all doors of the vehicle. Inthis implementation, Block S140 can interface directly with the vehicle.For example, Block S140 can communicate an unlock command to the vehiclefrom through a mobile computing device carried by the user. In anotherexample, Block S140 can communicate an unlock command from a serverhosting the fleet manager to the vehicle via a long-range wireless radioincorporated into the vehicle. Alternatively, in this implementation,Block S140 can interface with an existing OEM vehicle-monitoringchannel. For example, a third-party service supporting in-vehiclesecurity and remote diagnostics systems through wireless communicationwith the vehicle can receive a door lock or unlock request from thevehicle fleet manager through Block S140, and the third-party servicecan transmit a lock or unlock command to the vehicle accordingly.

In another implementation in which the vehicle lacks doors (e.g., alow-speed electric vehicle), Block S140 can interface with anelectromechanical seat mechanism to move the driver's seat into aposition in which the driver's seat can be occupied by the user. Forexample, Block S140 can retract the driver's seat away from a dashboardto provide room for the user's feet in front of the seat or lift theseatback of the driver's seat such that the user can move his torso intothe seat. Additionally or alternatively, Block S140 can interface with alighting system within the car, such as to light the driver's seat toguide the user into the driver's seat at night.

Block S140 can further tailor access to the vehicle according to aspecific seat assigned to or reserved by the user (i.e. the driver'sseat) in order to guide the user into the correct seat. As describedabove, Block S140 can selectively unlock only the driver's door of thevehicle adjacent the driver's seat or selectively illuminate only thedriver's seat to guide the user to the driver's seat at night.

In one implementation, Block S140 receives GPS location data from amobile computing device associated with the user and compares the GPSlocation data of the user with a known location of the vehicle todetermine that the user is within range of the vehicle. Block S140 theninterfaces with an accelerometer, microphone, touch sensor, proximitysensor, and/or other sensor to determine that the user is adjacent thevehicle, and Block S140 can then unlock one or more doors of thevehicle. For example, Block S140 can interface with a microphonearranged in the vehicle to determine that the user has knocked on awindow of the vehicle. In this example, Block S140 can correlate thelocation of the user and the knock on the vehicle's window with an entryrequest and thus unlock the vehicle accordingly. In this example, theknock can be any knock, a unique knock pattern selected by the user andassociated with the user's rental account, or a knock pattern set by thevehicle fleet manager and communicated to the user, such as via theuser's mobile computing device. In this example, the knock can thusfunction as a “key” to the vehicle, thus enabling Block S140 toauthenticate the user without a tangible key or by collecting userinformation from a driver's license, credit card, etc. However, BlockS140 can function in any other way to enable user access to the vehicle.

Block S150 of method S100 recites determining, through a sensor arrangedwithin the vehicle, that the user is seated in a driver's seat withinthe vehicle. Generally, Block S150 functions to interface with one ormore sensors within an interior space of the vehicle to determine thatthe user is seated in the driver's seat.

In one implementation, Block S150 polls an output of a seat occupancysensor arranged within the driver's seat to determine that the driver'sseat is occupied. For the vehicle that is only booked by the oneentity—the user—Block S150 can determine that the user is occupying thedriver's seat when the seat occupancy sensor in the driver's seatoutputs an occupied signal. Additionally or alternatively, for the seatoccupancy sensor that is a two-state sensor (i.e. a “seat occupied”state and a “seat not occupied” state), Block S150 can correlate a ‘seatoccupied’ state with a user seating position within the vehicle based ona time that Block S140 enables access to the driver's seat for the userand when the seat occupancy sensor in the driver's seat changes to the‘seat occupied’ state, such as in implementations in which multipleusers book seats within the vehicle over time. The seat occupancy sensorin the driver's seat can have a substantially high threshold weight totrigger a state change, such as 70 lbs., thereby reducing risk thatBlock S150 will identify a child accidentally occupying the driver'sseat as a suitable driver. For the seat sensor that measures the weightof an occupant, Block S140 can access a known weight of the user fromthe user's rental profile, and Block S150 can determine that the user isseated in the driver's seat given a seat occupancy sensor output withina threshold range of the known weight of the user (e.g., .+−.10%).However, Block S150 can interface with and analyze an output of a seatoccupancy sensor in the driver's seat of the vehicle in any other way todetermine that the user is occupying the driver's seat of the vehicle.

In another implementation, Block S150 interfaces with a location sensorin the vehicle and a location sensor in a mobile computing device (e.g.,smartphone) carried (or worn) by the user to determine that the user isseated in a driver's seat of the vehicle. For example, Block S150 cancollect GPS location data from a GPS sensor integrated into the vehicleas well as GPS location data from a GPS sensor integrated into themobile computing device, compare the location data of the vehicle andthe mobile computing device, and thus pinpoint the location of the useras in the driver's seat of the vehicle, such as based on an assumptionthat the user is holding the mobile computing device in a hand orpocket. In this example, Block S150 can triangulate the user's locationto improve accuracy of the determined user's location by furtherinterfacing with a second GPS sensor integrated into the vehicle (e.g.,at an opposite end of the vehicle) or another GPS sensor arrangedproximal the vehicle (e.g., in a vehicle charging station). However,Block S150 can interface with and analyze an output of one or morelocation sensors integrated into the vehicle and/or into the mobilecomputing device in any other way to determine that the user isoccupying the driver's seat of the vehicle.

In yet another implementation, Block S150 interfaces with one or moremotion sensors integrated into a mobile computing device (e.g.,smartphone) carried by the user to determine that the user is seated ina driver's seat of the vehicle. In the implementation of Block S130 thatincludes a card, magnetic stripe, RFID, NFC, optical sensor, or otherreader that requires the user to stand or sit in to a known location inorder to capture relevant user information, Block S150 can set theinformation collection location as an initial location, collect datafrom an gyroscope and/or accelerometer arranged in the mobile computingdevice, and track the user's motion toward and into the driver's seatbased on the collected data, such as by implementing dead reckoning. Inthis implementation, Block S150 can again assume that the user iscarrying, wearing, or holding the mobile computing device as he walkstoward and enters the vehicle. However, Block S150 can interface withand analyze an output of one or more motion sensors integrated into themobile computing device in any other way to determine that the user isoccupying the driver's seat of the vehicle.

In a further implementation, Block S150 interfaces with one or moreoptical sensors integrated into the vehicle. For example, the opticalsensor can be arranged on a dashboard or rearview mirror assembly withinthe vehicle and cab be directed rearward, wherein Block S150 retrievesand analyzes an image of the cabin of the vehicle to identify vehicleoccupants. In this example, Block S130 can retrieve an image of the user(e.g., from a social networking profile of the user), and Block S150 canimplement a facial recognition technique to identify the user onceseating in the vehicle. Once the user is identified in the image, BlockS150 can correlate a location of the user identified within the imagewith a seating position of the user within the vehicle. In this example,Block S150 can implement a similar technique to additionally oralternatively identify a passenger and his seating position within thevehicle. However, Block S150 can interface with and analyze an output ofone or more optical sensors integrated into the vehicle in any other wayto identify and determine a seating position of the user within thevehicle.

In another implementation, Block S150 can implement an RFID or NFCreader in the driver's seat to poll a nearest mobile computing device,identify the nearest mobile computing device as belonging to the user,and determine that the user is occupying the driver's seat. In a furtherimplementation, Block S130 can interface with a sensor or other systemintegrated into a driver's door of the vehicle to collect userinformation from the user while the user stands proximal the driver'sdoor, and Block S150 can determine that the user occupies the driver'sseat based on a sequence of an opened driver's door, a state change in aseat occupancy sensor in the driver's seat, and a closed driver's doorfollowing retrieval of user identification information. However, BlockS150 can interface with any other sensor or system integrated into orarranged on the vehicle and/or a mobile computing device carried, worn,or held by the user to determine a seating position of the user withinthe vehicle.

Block S160 of method S100 recites enabling ignition of the vehicle forthe user in response to determination that the user is seated in thedriver's seat. Generally, Block S160 functions to withhold use of thevehicle until an occupant condition is met. In various examples, BlockS160 can withhold use of the vehicle until Block S150 determines thatthe user is seated in the driver's seat, until a number of occupants inthe vehicle meets or exceeds a threshold occupancy level (e.g., onedriver and at least one passenger), until all occupants are wearing aseatbelt, until no occupant under 80 lbs. is seated in a front seat ofthe vehicle, and/or until any other condition is met. The condition(s)can be static and predefined, such as a condition governed by law. Forexample, the static condition can be that the driver must be identifiedas having a valid driver's license or that no child may sit in a frontseat of the vehicle. Alternatively, the condition can be dynamic, suchas based on a time of day or a vehicle or mobility demand. For example,the dynamic condition can specify a first minimum threshold vehicleoccupancy of one (i.e. just a driver) during low demand hours (e.g., 9pm-6 am), a second minimum threshold vehicle occupancy of three (i.e., adriver and two passengers) during high demand hours (e.g., 7 am-9 am and4 pm-6 pm), and a third minimum threshold vehicle occupancy of two (i.e.a driver and one passenger) during medium demand hours (e.g., 10 am-2 pmand 7 pm-9 pm). In the foregoing examples, Block S110 can retrieve oneor more static or dynamic conditions from a fleet manager and pass theone or more conditions to Block S160 to control use to the vehicle.Block S160 can also withhold the vehicle for user for a specified periodof time, such as thirty seconds or two minutes, after Block S130collects the user's identification information or after Block S150determines that the user is seated in the driver's seat. In thisimplementation, the withhold time can also be static or dynamic, such asbased on current anticipated future vehicle or mobility demand. However,Block S160 can set or receive any condition on use of the vehicle in anyother suitable way.

In one implementation, Block S160 withholds use of the vehicle byblocking function of an ignition component of the vehicle. In oneexample in which the vehicle is a gasoline-, natural gas-, liquidpetroleum-, hydrogen-, or other fuel-powered vehicle, Block S160 canblock ignition of the vehicle by cutting power to a fuel pump, a startermotor, an ignition condenser, a distributor, a magneto, an electric fuelinjection system, etc. In another example in which the vehicle is anelectric vehicle or other type of vehicle that does not burn a fuel forpower, Block S160 can block ignition of the vehicle by opening a circuitbetween a battery and a motor, by cutting power to an inverter, etc. Inthis implementation, once Block S150 determines that the user is seatedin the driver's seat of the vehicle and/or any other occupant conditionis met, Block S160 can enable function of the ignition component,thereby enabling the user to turn the vehicle “ON” via any suitableinterface, such as a “start” button, a rotary ignition switch, or a“start vehicle” button within a native vehicle rental applicationexecuting on a mobile computing device.

In another implementation, Block S160 can control an ignition interfacethrough which a user turns the vehicle “ON.” In one example in which thevehicle includes a start button, Block S160 can disable the start buttonuntil the occupancy condition is met. In this example, Block S160 canenable the ignition function once the occupancy condition is met,thereby enabling the user to start the vehicle by contacting or engagingthe start button within the vehicle. In another example in which thevehicle includes a rotary ignition switch (e.g., for a key), Block S160can lock the position of the rotary ignition switch until the occupancycondition is met. In this example, Block S160 can enable the ignitionfunction once the occupancy condition is met, thereby enabling the userto start the vehicle by rotating the ignition switch (or key within theignition key). In a further example in which the ignition system of thevehicle can be controlled through a native application executing on amobile computing device carried by the user (e.g., the rental vehicleapplication), Block S160 can block a “start vehicle” interface or lock a“start vehicle” function within the native application until theoccupancy condition is met. In this example, Block S160 can enable theignition function once the occupancy condition is met, thereby enablingthe user to start the vehicle by supplying an input to the mobilecomputing device, such as by selecting a portion of a touchscreen onwhich a “start vehicle” button is displayed, as shown in FIG. 5.However, Block S160 can block and then enable ignition of the vehicle inany other way, according to any other occupancy condition, and/oraccording to any other user input.

In yet another implementation, Block S160 automatically turns thevehicle “ON” once one or more occupancy conditions are met. In anexample in which the vehicle is a gasoline, diesel, or other fossil fuelvehicle, Block S160 can start the vehicle's engine once Block S150determines that the use is seated in the driver's seat. In anotherexample in which the vehicle is an electric of electric hybrid vehicle,Block S160 can switch “ON” the propulsion system of the vehicle once avehicle occupancy threshold is reached. In this or the foregoingimplementations, Block S160 can also control a visual or audibleindicator that informs the use that the vehicle's ignition has beenenabled and/or that the vehicle is “ON.” However, Block S160 canfunction in any other way to control use of the vehicle based onoccupancy conditions of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 5, one variation of method S100 further includes BlockS170, which recites tracking a location of the vehicle while occupied bythe user. Generally, Block S170 functions to log the location of thevehicle while in use, thereby enabling method S100 to estimate ordetermine how long the user will occupy or use the vehicle, the fuel orbattery range of the vehicle, where, when, and how the vehicle is mostuseful (e.g., during lunch periods, on weekends), how the vehicle isused (e.g., to go to lunch, to commute to work), how the user drivers(e.g., aggressively, safely), etc. In one implementation, Block S170interfaces with a sensor or communication module arranged in orintegrated into the vehicle. In various examples, Block S170 caninterface with a GPS sensor to obtain a GPS coordinate of the vehicle,triangulate the vehicle based on local cellular towers, or retrieve alocation tag from a local Wi-Fi router. In another implementation, BlockS170 can interface with a sensor or communication module arranged on orintegrated into a mobile computing device carried by the user. In thisimplementation, Block S170 can implement similar techniques to determinethe location of the mobile computing device, which can be correlatedwith the location of the user and therefore the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 1, one variation of method S100 further includes BlockS180, which recites updating the visual indicator to specifyunavailability of the vehicle in response to verification of the user asa driver of the vehicle. Generally, Block S180 functions to update thevisual indicator to show that the user has booked (i.e. reserved) thevehicle, such as once Block S130 collects identification informationfrom and/or verifies the user, once Block S150 determines that the useris seated in the driver's seat, or once Block S160 determines that oneor more occupancy conditions has been met. Block S180 can thereforeimplement similar functions or techniques as those implemented by BlockS120 described above. For example, once Block S150 detects that the useris seated in the driver's seat, Block S180 can transition the visualindicator from displaying a blue hue indicating vehicle availability toan orange hue indicating limited passenger availability. In anotherexample, once Block S160 enables the ignition system of the vehicleand/or once the vehicle is in motion, Block S180 can transition thevisual indicator from displaying an orange hue indicating limitedpassenger availability to displaying a white hue indicating the vehicleis in use.

Block S180 can additionally or alternatively disperse an electronicnotification to potential riders proximal the vehicle. For example,Block S180 can generate and disperse an electronic notification to aselection of cellular phones (e.g., smartphones) or computers within a500 feet radius of the vehicle. In this example, the electronicnotification can be an in-app notification, email, SMS text message,calendar alert, or other type of electronic communication transmitteddirectly from the vehicle (e.g., over the Internet via a Wi-Ficonnection) or routed through an external communication channel (e.g.,from the fleet manager on a remote server to a cellular tower). Thenotification can include any one or more of the remaining occupancy ofthe vehicle (e.g., four seats left), a scheduled time of departure ofthe vehicle, an identify of the driver (i.e. the user), an identifier ofthe vehicle (e.g., vehicle fleet number, license plate number), alocation of the vehicle (e.g., parking lot, parking lot number), adestination of the vehicle (e.g., entered by the user into a vehiclerental application on his smartphone, extracted from a calendar event ofthe user, predicted based on the user's habits), etc. In this example,Block S180 can selectively transmit the electronic notification, such asto friends or coworkers of the user, to persons who frequent the sameshops or restaurants of the user, to persons who live along or near ascheduled route of the vehicle, to persons who have calendar eventsoccurring along or near a schedules route of the vehicle, etc.Alternatively, Block S180 can display or render any of this informationdirectly on or adjacent the vehicle, such as on a digital or heads-updisplay arranged on the vehicle, on a kiosk adjacent the vehicle, or ona charging station adjacent the vehicle. However, Block S180 can informone or more persons outside the vehicle of the availability orunavailability of the vehicle or seats within the vehicle in any otherway.

2. Method for Controlling Occupancy of a Vehicle

As shown in FIG. 2, method S200 for controlling occupancy of a vehicleincludes: determining, through a sensor arranged within the vehicle,that a driver is seated in a driver's seat within the vehicle in BlockS250; updating a visual indicator according to passenger availability ofthe vehicle in Block S280, the visual indicator arranged on the vehicleand visually detectable from outside the vehicle; for a user proximalthe vehicle, enabling access to a passenger seat within the vehicle inresponse to verification of the user as a passenger of the vehicle inBlock S240; determining, through a sensor arranged within the vehicle,that the user is seated in a passenger seat within the vehicle in BlockS251; and enabling ignition of the vehicle in response to a number ofoccupants within the vehicle meeting a threshold minimum number ofoccupants in Block S260.

Similar to method S100 described above, method S200 functions to displayan availability status of a rental vehicle such that a user outside thevehicle can visually discern a passenger seat availability of thevehicle's, to capture an identity of the user, and to assign the user toa passenger seat within the vehicle. Generally, method S200 can beimplemented following method S100 described above to attract one or moreadditional passengers to the vehicle once a suitable driver has beenreserved and/or entered the vehicle. Method S200 can therefore beapplicable to a vehicle in a fleet of rental vehicles, in a fleet ofshared private vehicles, that a single shared private vehicle, etc. toenable substantially real-time or “impulse” carpooling or booking of apassenger seat within the vehicle. By visually displaying anavailability status of the vehicle, method S200 can enable a user who isoutside of the vehicle, such as walking through a parking lot or in anadjacent building, to substantially immediately ascertain theavailability of the vehicle, and by collecting identificationinformation of the user, method S200 can determine substantially inreal-time if the user is a suitable passenger and/or how to bill theuser for the rental. Furthermore, by determining the user's seatingposition and controlling access to the vehicle (e.g., door entry,ignition), method S200 can control who enters and who drives thevehicle.

Similar to method S100 described above, method S200 can be implementedby a vehicle rental apparatus, such as arranged on, arranged within, orincorporated into the vehicle. The rental apparatus can include aprocessor and input and output modules that interface with variousvehicle systems, such as a door locking function, an ignition functionwithin the vehicle, and a seat occupancy sensor. The rental apparatuscan also implement an optical sensor (e.g., camera), a radio-frequencyidentification (RFID) reader, a barcode scanner, a magnetic stripereader, a near-field communication (NFC) reader, or any other sensor orcombination of sensors to capture an identify of the user. The rentalapparatus can further include a wireless communication module thatcommunicates with a remote computer system that implements a vehiclefleet manager to set availability of one or more vehicles in a fleet ofrental vehicles, such as based on current or anticipated future demand.For example, the vehicle fleet manager can handle user- andvehicle-related data collected by and transmitted from the rentalapparatus to identify a location of the vehicle and to verify the useras a suitable driver. The vehicle fleet manager can be implemented by acomputer system that is a cloud-based computer system (e.g., AmazonEC2), a mainframe computer system, a grid-computer system, or any othersuitable computer system. The rental apparatus can additionally oralternatively interface with a mobile computing device carried by and/orissued to the user (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet), such as via a Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, cellular, or other wireless connection. For example, therental apparatus can interface with a native application executing onthe mobile computing device to access user identification information,to confirm a vehicle booking, to unlock the vehicle, and/or to start thevehicle based on one or more user inputs into the mobile computingdevice and wirelessly communicated to the rental apparatus. All or aportion of method S200 can be implemented directly by a nativeapplication executing on a mobile computing device (e.g., a smartphone,a tablet), such as variations that implement Block S280 through anaugmented reality overlay on a display of the mobile computing device,as described below. However, similar to Blocks of method S100 describedabove, one or more Blocks of method S200 can be implemented by any oneor more of a rental apparatus within the system, a remote computersystem and/or vehicle fleet manager, a mobile computing device (e.g.,carried by and/or issued to the user), a local kiosk proximal thevehicle, or any other suitable device, system, controller, etc.

Block S250 of method S200 recites determining, through a sensor arrangedwithin the vehicle, that a driver is seated in a driver's seat withinthe vehicle. Generally, Block S250 can implement techniques orfunctionality similar to that of Block S150 described above to determinethat a driver is seated in a driver's seat within the vehicle. BlockS250 can additionally or alternatively implement one or more techniquesor functions described above to determine that a suitable driver hasbooked or reserved the vehicle, is waiting outside the vehicle for anadditional passenger, etc. However, Block S250 can function in any othersuitable way to identify a driver of the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 4, Block S280 of method S200 recites updating a visualindicator according to passenger availability of the vehicle, the visualindicator arranged on the vehicle and visually detectable from outsidethe vehicle. Generally, Block S280 can implement techniques orfunctionality similar to that of Block S120 and/or Block S180 describedabove to notify the user and/or other persons outside of the vehicle ofpassenger seat availability in the vehicle. For example, Block S280 canupdate the visual indicator when rental status of the vehicle changesfrom being fully available to having available passenger seats once adriver books or enters the vehicle. As described above Block S280 caninterface with a visual indicator that includes a light source, adisplay, or a projector arranged on or near the vehicle and illuminatinga surface on or near the vehicle. For example, the visual indicator caninclude a light source, and Block S280 can change a lighting color ofthe light source from a first color signifying availability of a drivingposition within vehicle to a second color signifying availability of apassenger position within the vehicle when a driver enters the vehicle.In this example, the visual indicator can highlight a portion of anavailable passenger seat to indicate its availability, such as byilluminating a headrest of the passenger seat with a first color (e.g.,green) when available. Block S280 can also highlight the headrest of thepassenger seat a second color (e.g., red) when unavailable.

As also described above, Block S280 can additionally or alternativelygenerate and distribute an electronic notification of passenger seatavailability, vehicle route, vehicle departure time, vehicle location,or any other vehicle-related information, such as in the form of anin-app pop-up notification, a SMS text message, or a calendar alert.

Block S280 can further advertise a destination of the vehicle andcontrol advertisement of this information to the user, such as on adigital or heads-up display arranged on the vehicle as shown in FIG. 8.Block S280 can similarly advertise a vehicle departure time, such as inthe form of a countdown timer or clock. However, Block S280 can functionin any other way to inform the user and/or other person outside thevehicle that a passenger seat is available in the vehicle.

One variation of method S200 includes Block S230, which recitesreceiving identification information of the user, accessing a rentalaccount of the user based on the identification information, andverifying the user as a suitable passenger of the vehicle. Generally,Block S230 can interface with similar or the same hardware component(s)and implement similar techniques or methods as Block S130 above tocollect information from the user and to identify the user. Like BlockS130, Block S230 can also verify that the user is a suitable passengerin the vehicle. For example, Block S230 can capture or receive an imageof a credit card issued to the user, such as through an optical sensorarranged on the vehicle, and determine that user is a suitable passengerby interfacing with a point-of-sale system to verify a name and accountspecified on the credit card. Therefore, Block S230 can also collectbilling information of the user, such as described above in method S100.In another example, Block S230 accesses a social networking profile ofthe user to determine if the user is an adult or child and, if the useris determined to be a child, specify a rear seat of the vehicle and/or abooster seat for the user. In yet another example, Block S230 can accessa black list for the driver, the black list specifying passengers withwhom the driver is not legally permitted to occupy a vehicle or withwhom the driver does not prefer to share a vehicle (e.g., an ex-wife, aconvicted criminal). If the black list indicates that the user is not asuitable passenger in the vehicle driven by the driver, Block S230 cantrigger a flag to refuse user entry to the vehicle or to prevent use ofthe vehicle until the user disembarks from the vehicle. Block S230 cansimilarly access and implement data stored in a passenger black list, avehicle- or fleet-specific black list, or a white list indicating alimited or preferred set of acceptable vehicle, driver, and/or passengercombinations. In this example, Block S230 ca access a black (or white)list populated by users, by the fleet manager, by a law enforcementagency, a company or other entity that sponsors vehicle rentals, etc.However, Block S230 can function in any other way to identify the userand/or verify the user as a passenger of the vehicle.

Block S240 of method S200 recites, for a user proximal the vehicle,enabling access to a passenger seat within the vehicle in response toverification of the user as a passenger of the vehicle. Generally, BlockS240 can interface with similar hardware components and/or implementsimilar techniques or functionality as Block S140 described above toenable the user to access a specified seat within the vehicle. Forexample, Block S240 can selectively unlock a door of the vehicle that isadjacent a passenger seat assigned to the user. However, Block S240 canfunction in any other way to enable the user to access the passengerseat of the vehicle.

Block S251 of method S200 recites determining, through a sensor arrangedwithin the vehicle, that the user is seated in a passenger seat withinthe vehicle. Generally, Block S251 can interface with similar hardwarecomponents and/or implement similar techniques or functionality as BlockS150 described above to determine a seating position of the user withinthe vehicle. For example, Block S251 can poll a seat occupancy sensorarranged within the passenger seat assigned to the user to determinethat the user has entered the seat. Block S250 can similarly poll a seatoccupancy sensor arranged within the driver's seat to determine that adriver has entered the vehicle. In another example, Block S251 cancooperate with Block S250 to analyze an image of an interior space ofthe vehicle and identify the user and the driver, respectively, such asby implementing facial recognition. In this example, a camera arrangedon a dashboard or on a rearview mirror assembly within the vehicle cancapture the image. However, Block S251 can function in any other way todetermine that the user is seated in the vehicle.

Block S260 of method S200 recites enabling ignition of the vehicle inresponse to a number of occupants within the vehicle meeting a thresholdminimum number of occupants. Generally, Block S260 can interface withsimilar hardware components and/or implement similar techniques orfunctionality as Block S160 described above to enable use of the vehiclebased on a static or dynamic occupancy condition. For example, BlockS260 can retrieve a minimum occupancy threshold from the fleet manager(e.g., wirelessly over a cellular connection) and implement the minimumoccupancy threshold by withholding ignition of the vehicle until the sumof the driver, the user, and/or other passengers in the vehicle meets orexceeds the minimum occupancy threshold. As described above, Block S260can also enable ignition of the vehicle based on expiration of a timer,such as thirty seconds or two minutes after the driver or the userenters the vehicle or books a seat in the vehicle. Furthermore, likeBlock S160, Block S260 can remotely start the vehicle once one or moreoccupancy to time conditions are met. For example, the fleet manager,executing on a remote server, can communicate a “start vehicle” signalto the vehicle over a wireless communication channel (e.g., a cellularnetwork) to remotely start the vehicle. However, Block S260 can functionin any other way to withhold and subsequently enable use of the vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, one variation of method S100 further includesBlock S210, which recites receiving a signal from a fleet manager, thesignal specifying the threshold minimum number of occupants. Generally,Block S210 can interface with similar hardware components and/orimplement similar techniques or functionality as Block S110 describedabove to retrieve various data from a fleet manager, such as a fleetmanager implemented on a remote server. For example, Block S210 canretrieve the signal that specifies the minimum threshold number ofoccupants, such as according to an estimated future mobility demandproximal the vehicle. However, Block S210 can retrieve any other datafrom the fleet manager and in any other way, such as via any othersuitable communication channel.

3. Apparatus for Renting a Vehicle

As shown in FIG. 9, an apparatus 300 for renting a vehicle includes: avisual indicator 310 configured for arrangement on a vehicle to indicateavailability of the vehicle for rent; an output module 320 electricallycoupled to a door locking function and an ignition function of thevehicle; an input module 330 configured to receive a signal from asensor arranged within the vehicle; a wireless communication module 340configured to communicate with a remote vehicle fleet manager; and aprocessor 350 configured to receive a rental availability of the vehiclefrom the vehicle fleet manager via the wireless communication module340, to control the visual indicator 310 according to the rentalavailability of the vehicle, to control the door locking function viathe output module 320 to provide access to the vehicle for a user, toidentify a seating position of the user within the vehicle according toa signal received from the sensor via the input module 330, and tocontrol the ignition function of the vehicle via the output module 320based on the seating position of the user.

Generally, the apparatus 300 functions to implement method S100 and/ormethod S200 described above to rent a vehicle to a first user (i.e., adriver) and to increase occupancy of the vehicle by attracting a seconduser to the vehicle (i.e., a passenger). The apparatus 300 thereforeincludes hardware and processing components to handle communicating witha fleet manager, communicating a vehicle and vehicle occupancy status,capturing user information, controlling access to the vehicle, detectingseat occupancy, and enabling use of the vehicle.

The visual indicator 310 of the apparatus is configured for arrangementon the vehicle to indicate availability of the vehicle for rent. Asdescribed above, a light source configured to project light out of thewindow of the vehicle, onto the dash of the vehicle, onto a hood of thevehicle, onto a headboard of the vehicle, and/or onto any other surfaceof or adjacent the vehicle. The visual indicator 310 can be controlledby the processor 350 based on availability of the vehicle for rentand/or vehicle occupancy. The processor 350 can therefore implementtechniques described above to control the visual indicator 310. Theprocessor 350 can additionally or alternatively generate and disperse anelectronic notification to one or more persons outside the vehicle toinform the one or more persons of the availability and/or occupancy ofthe vehicle. However, the visual indicator 310 can be any other type ofindicator and controlled in any other way by the processor 350, fleetmanager, etc.

The output module 320 of the apparatus 300 is electrically coupled to adoor locking function and an ignition function of the vehicle.Generally, the output module 320 communicates control signals from theprocessor 350 via a wired or wireless connection to various componentswithin the vehicle, including a door locking function and an ignitionsystem integrated into the vehicle. For example, the output module 320can include implement Bluetooth or other short-range wirelesscommunication protocol to transmit a door lock signal and/or an ignitionsignal to a main computer within the vehicle to control the door lockingand ignition systems of the vehicle, respectively. Alternatively, theoutput module 320 can transmit a door lock signal and/or an ignitionsignal directly to a door lock controller within the vehicle or to theignition system, respectively, within the vehicle directly or to acentral computer or sub controller within the vehicle through a wiredconnection. The output module 320 can also interface with any othercomponent of the vehicle, such as a lighting system, an alarm system, astereo system, an in-dash or heads-up display, etc., any of which can becontrolled by the processor 350, fleet manager (i.e. remotely), etc.

The input module 330 of the apparatus 300 is configured to receive asignal from a sensor arranged within the vehicle. Generally, the inputmodule 330 functions to collect user-, occupancy-, and/orvehicle-related and to pass these data to the processor 350 where thedata is manipulated to determine vehicle occupancy, control vehicleaccess, control vehicle use, etc. The input module 330 can also becoupled to the communication module, which can transmit any of thesedata to the fleet manager to control vehicle rental parameters, setoccupant conditions, etc. Therefore, the input module 330 can interfacewith a card, NFC, RFID, or other reader, a seat occupancy sensorarranged in a seat within the vehicle, a proximity sensor within abumper of the vehicle, a camera arranged inside the cabin of the vehicleor on an exterior surface of the vehicle, a seatbelt sensor, a door(open or closed) sensor, a speedometer or tachometer, an accelerometer,a gyroscope, a GPS sensor, or any other sensor within the vehicle, asshown in FIG. 11. The input module 330 can collect data from any one ormore sensors via a wired or wireless connection (e.g., Bluetoothconnection) to a particular sensor, a sub controller connected to aparticular sensor, a main computer within the vehicle, etc. However, theinput module 330 can communicate data from any one or more sensors tothe processor 350 and/or to the fleet manager in any other suitable way.

The wireless communication module 340 of the apparatus 300 is configuredto communicate with the remote vehicle fleet manager. Generally, thewireless communication module 340 implements a Wi-Fi, cellular,satellite, or other medium- to long-range communication protocol totransmit data to and from a remote server incorporating the vehiclefleet manager. For example, the wireless communication module 340 cantransmit user-, occupancy-, and vehicle-related data to the fleetmanager and receive occupant conditions, driver and passengerverification, vehicle booking schedules, etc. from the fleet manager.The wireless communication module 340 can also communicate with a mobilecomputing device carried by a user to collect data stored on the deviceand/or to push a notification, door locking control, ignition control,etc. to the user. Furthermore, the wireless communication module 340 canimplement a short-to-medium-range communication protocol (e.g.,Bluetooth, XBee) to communicate with the fleet manager through themobile computing device. The wireless communication module 340 canfurther embody or include an RFID, NFC, or other contactless reader tocapture information from the user. However, the wireless communicationmodule 340 can transmit data to or through and/or receive data from anysuitable server, device, network, etc.

The processor 350 of the apparatus 300 is configured to receive a rentalavailability of the vehicle from the vehicle fleet manager via thewireless communication module 340, to control the visual indicator 310according to the rental availability of the vehicle, to control the doorlocking function via the output module 320 to provide access to thevehicle for a user, to identify a seating position of the user withinthe vehicle according to a signal received from the sensor via the inputmodule 330, and to control the ignition function of the vehicle via theoutput module 320 based on the seating position of the user. Generally,the processor 350 functions to implement one or more Blocks of methodS100 and/or S200. The processor 350 can be a standalone microcontroller,a central processing unit (CPU) integrated into the vehicle, anelectronic control unit (ECU) integrated into the vehicle, a sublevelmicrocontroller or other processor integrated into the vehicle, or anyother suitable type of controller or processor arranged in the vehiclein any other suitable way.

In one implementation, the apparatus 300 defines a standalone, discreetsystem that is installed on or within a vehicle, as shown in FIG. 9. Inthis implementation, the apparatus 300 can therefore include a housing360 configured to couple to a surface of or to be installed in a portionof the vehicle and to contain the visual indicator 310, the outputmodule 320, the input module 330, the wireless communication module 340,and the processor 350. In one example, the apparatus 300 can include around plastic housing configured to couple to an interior surface of awindshield of the vehicle, such as via a suction cup or adhesive,wherein the visual indicator 310 is arranged on the housing 360 todirect light out of the windshield when the apparatus 300 is installedin the interior surface of the windshield. In other examples, theapparatus 300 can be configured to couple to a dashboard of the vehiclevia a hook-and-loop fastener (e.g., Velcro), or installed on a roof orwindow pillar of the vehicle, such as with a threaded fastener. Theapparatus 300 can also be self-powered, such as by a battery or a solarpanel arranged in or on the apparatus 300. Additionally oralternatively, the apparatus 300 can siphon power from the vehicle. Forexample, the apparatus 300 can include a plug that engages a cigarettelighter jack or a USB jack within the cabin of the vehicle. In anotherexample, the apparatus 300 can include a plug configured to engage anon-board diagnostic (OBD) receptacle in the vehicle, which can enablethe apparatus 300 to receive power and data from the vehicle.Alternatively, the apparatus 300 can be hardwired to the vehicle'selectrical system.

In the foregoing implementation, the apparatus 300 can be removable fromthe vehicle, such as to move the apparatus 300 between vehicles in orderto offer a different selection of vehicles for rent. For example, theapparatus 300 can be a cylindrical housing that mounts to a window or adashboard within the vehicle, or the apparatus 300 can be a replacementrearview mirror assembly, such as a rearview mirror assembly thatreplaces an OEM or stock rearview mirror assembly within the vehicle.

As shown in FIG. 10, in another implementation, the apparatus 300defines an integrated vehicle system. Specifically, it thisimplementation, the processor 350 can integrated in the vehicle in theform of a CPU, ECU, sublevel microcontroller, etc., such as during thevehicle's manufacture, wherein the processor 350 interfaces and/orcontrols various systems within the vehicle directly, such as a doorlock function, an ignition function, an in-dash display, a GPS sensor,etc. In this implementation, the visual indicator 310 can be integratedinto a rearview mirror assembly (shown in FIG. 10), headlight,taillight, backup light, running board light, or any other system orcomponent within the vehicle.

In yet another implementation, the apparatus 300 includes the processor350 and wireless communication device that are integrated into a mobilecomputing device carried by the user (e.g., a smartphone), wherein theoutput module 320 and input module are integrated or arranged within thevehicle. In this implementation, the visual indicator 310 can be astandalone component arranged on or within the vehicle, a kiosk proximalthe vehicle, or a charging booth adjacent the vehicle. Alternatively,the visual indicator 310 can be integrated into the vehicle, such asinto a rearview mirror assembly, headlight, taillight, backup light,running board light, or any other system or component within thevehicle. In this implementation, the apparatus 300 can further include asecond wireless communication module that communicates with the wirelesscommunication module 340 integrated into the mobile computing device,such as to communicate vehicle occupancy data to the device and toreceive ignition and door lock control signals from the device. However,the apparatus 300 can be of any other form implemented in any other wayand can include any other suitable components.

The apparatus 300 and methods 100, 200 of the invention can be embodiedand/or implemented at least in part as a machine configured to receive acomputer-readable medium storing computer-readable instructions. Theinstructions can be executed by computer-executable componentsintegrated with the vehicle, scheduling kiosk(s), a remote schedulingserver, hardware/firmware/software elements of a user computer or mobiledevice, or any suitable combination thereof. Other systems and methodsof the invention can be embodied and/or implemented at least in part asa machine configured to receive a computer-readable medium storingcomputer-readable instructions. The instructions can be executed bycomputer-executable components integrated by computer-executablecomponents integrated with apparatuses and networks of the typedescribed above. The computer-readable medium can be stored on anysuitable computer readable media such as RAMs, ROMs, flash memory,EEPROMs, optical devices (CD or DVD), hard drives, floppy drives, or anysuitable device. The computer-executable component can be a processorbut any suitable dedicated hardware device can (alternatively oradditionally) execute the instructions.

Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments and examplesdescribed herein have been chosen and described in order to bestillustrate the principles of the invention and its practicalapplications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to bestutilize the invention in various embodiments and with variousmodifications as are suited for particular uses contemplated. Eventhough specific embodiments of this invention have been described, theyare not to be taken as exhaustive. There are several variations thatwill be apparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for indicating whether a vehicle isavailable for use by a user and permitting use of the vehicle by theuser, the method comprising the steps of: providing, by a visualindicator visible to a user outside of the vehicle, a visual indicationthat the vehicle is available for use; receiving, by a processor of acomputing device in the vehicle, identification information of a firstuser proximal the vehicle; verifying the first user as a driver of thevehicle; providing, by the processor, access to the vehicle for thefirst user; after providing access to the vehicle, changing the visualindication so the visual indication is that the vehicle is available forpassenger use; receiving, by the processor of the computing device inthe vehicle, identification information of a second user proximal thevehicle; providing, by the processor, access to the vehicle for thesecond user; determining that the first user is seated in a driver'sseat within the vehicle; and enabling ignition of the vehicle upondetermining that the first user is seated in the driver's seat.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator comprises a lightsource.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of providing a visualindication that the vehicle is available for use comprises emitting afirst color of light from the light source.
 4. The method of claim 3,wherein the step of changing the visual indicator so the visualindication is that the vehicle is available for passenger use comprisesemitting a second color of light from the light source.
 5. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the light source is disposed on a rearview mirrorassembly in the vehicle.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein the lightsource comprises a multi-color LED.
 7. The method of claim 1, whereinthe step of receiving identification information of the first usercomprises receiving identification information of the first user throughan RFID reader.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receivingidentification information of the first user comprises receivingidentification information of the first user through wirelesscommunications with a mobile computing device of the first user.
 9. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the step of providing access to the vehiclecomprises unlocking a door of the vehicle.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the step of determining that the first user is seated in thedriver's seat comprises polling an output of a seat occupancy sensor.11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining that thefirst user is seated in the driver's seat comprises correlating GPSposition data of a mobile computing device of the first user with a GPSposition of the vehicle.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the step ofenabling ignition of the vehicle comprises enabling the first user tostart the vehicle through an application executing on a mobile computingdevice of the first user.
 13. An apparatus incorporated in a vehicle toascertaining whether the vehicle for use, comprising: a visual indicatordisposed on or in the vehicle such that the visual indicator is visibleto a user outside the vehicle; a processor and a memory storinginstructions, that when executed by the processor, cause the processorto: provide, by the visual indicator, a visual indication that thevehicle is available for use; receive identification information of afirst user proximal the vehicle; verify the first user as a driver ofthe vehicle; provide access to the vehicle for the first user byunlocking a door of the vehicle, after providing access to the vehiclefor the first user, change the visual indication such that the visualindication is that the vehicle is available for passenger use; receiveidentification information of a second user proximal the vehicle;provide access to the vehicle for the second user; determine that thefirst user is seated in a driver's seat within the vehicle; and enableignition of the vehicle upon determining that the first user is seatedin the driver's seat.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the visualindicator comprises a light source.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14,wherein the light source is arranged on a rearview mirror assemblywithin the vehicle, or on an interior surface of a window of thevehicle.